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Cultures of East Asia

The Mongol Empire
Preview
•

Main Idea / Reading Focus

•

The Mongols

•

The Yuan Dynasty

•

Map: Mongol Empire

•

End of the Yuan Dynasty

•

Faces of History: Kublai Khan

Section 2
Cultures of East Asia

Section 2

The Mongol Empire
Main Idea
1. The Mongols built a vast empire across much of Asia, founded
the Yuan dynasty in China, and opened China and the region to
greater foreign contacts and trade.

Reading Focus
• How did the nomadic Mongols build an empire?
• How did China change under the Mongol rulers of the Yuan
dynasty?
• Why did the Yuan dynasty decline and finally end?
Section 2

Cultures of East Asia

The Mongols
In the 1200s a nomadic people called the Mongols burst forth from
Central Asia to create the largest land empire in history.

Nomads from the Steppe

Fierce Warriors

• Vast steppes, grasslands,
stretch across north-central
Eurasia, home to nomadic
peoples

• Like Huns, Turks, the Mongols
emerged as powerful nomadic
people on Central Asian
steppes

• Steppes too dry for farming

• Herded sheep, goats

• Nomads relied on herds of
domesticated animals

• Skilled with horses

• Often traded; but also swept
down on settlements, took
what they wanted

• Accustomed to living in harsh
environment, competing for
scarce resources
• Tough people, fierce warriors
Cultures of East Asia

Section 2

The Universal Ruler
Separate Clans
• Mongols divided into separate clans, each led by a khan, chief
• Khans rose to power through military skills, ability to lead
• 1100s, Temujin, powerful khan, began to conquer rivals, unite Mongol clans

Genghis Khan
• 1206, Temujin completed task, took name Genghis Khan, “Universal Ruler”
• Set out to build empire, organized Mongols into powerful military machine
• Strict discipline, demanded loyalty, rewarded those who pleased him

Campaign of Conquest
• Mongol forces began bloody campaign of conquest; highly mobile armies
• Employed brutality, psychological warfare; burned towns, killed inhabitants
• Sent agents ahead to instill fear; soon people surrendered without a fight
Section 2

Cultures of East Asia

The Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire
• Genghis Kahn led Mongols in
conquering much of Asia
• Mongols learned art of siege
warfare, gunpowder in fights
against Chinese, Turks
• At Genghis Kahn’s death, 1227,
Mongols controlled much of
northern China, Central Asia
• Sons, grandsons took up
challenge of world conquest

Khanates
• Genghis Kahn’s empire divided
into four khanates, heir ruled
each region; new Great Khan
ruled over whole empire
• Grandsons resumed efforts to
complete conquests of China,
Korea, Persia
• 1236, Golden Horde, or Tartars,
began conquering Russia,
Poland, Hungary
Cultures of East Asia

Section 2

The Golden Horde
2. Golden Horde stood ready to invade western
Europe
• Grandson Batu learned of Great Kahn’s death, suddenly
turned back
• India, Western Europe escaped Mongol wrath
• Most of Eurasia devastated
• Millions had died, entire cities annihilated
Cultures of East Asia

Section 2

The Mongol Peace
• Mongols built empire with brutality, ruled peacefully
• Tolerated local beliefs, ways of life, allowed local rulers to stay in
power as long as they paid tribute to Mongols
• Some Mongols adopted aspects of more civilized cultures; Mongols
in Central Asia, Persia, adopted Islam

Stability in Asia
• Mongol Empire established peace, stability across Asia
• Some historians call period Pax Mongolica, “Mongol Peace”
• Guarded trade routes across Asia, allowed trade to increase; people,
goods, ideas flowed across Asia
• Some believe Black Plague spread from Asia to Europe during
period
Cultures of East Asia

Section 2

Identify Supporting Details
How were the Mongols able to build a vast
empire across much of Eurasia?
Answer(s): army was skilled and well organized,
rules promoted loyalty and obedience; tactics
involved brutality and psychological warfare; built
fear in those they conquered
Section 2

Cultures of East Asia

The Yuan Dynasty
Great Kahn
• 1260, Kublai Khan became
Great Kahn of Mongol Empire
• Determined to complete
conquest of China begun in
1235

Kublai Kahn Rules China
• As emperor, Kublai Khan tried
to gain loyalty of Chinese
subjects
• Adopted Chinese practices,
gave dynasty Chinese name

Southern Song
• Mongols ruled northern China
• Southern Song dynasty ruled in
south, fiercely resisted Mongols
• 1279, Song defeated; Kublai
Khan created Yuan dynasty

New Capital
• Kublai Khan moved capital to
near what is now Beijing
• Built Chinese-style walled city,
lavish palace, adopted Chinese
court ceremonies
Cultures of East Asia

Section 2
Cultures of East Asia

Section 2

Kublai Khan Rules China
Mongol Identity
• Kublai Khan tried to rule as Chinese emperor
• But took care to see Mongols not absorbed into Chinese culture
• Mongols lived apart from Chinese, had little in common

Separation
• Individual friendships between Mongols, Chinese discouraged
• Mongols forbidden to marry Chinese
• Different laws, taxes for Chinese; could not own weapons, serve in military

Limited Power
• Kublai Khan distrusted Chinese, limited power
• Chinese officials served at local level, could not hold high government posts
• Mongols invited foreigners to hold government office
Section 2

Cultures of East Asia

Taxes to Trade
• Mongols burdened Chinese with heavy taxes
• Large part of taxes supported public-works projects
• Chinese laborers built new roads, extended Grand Canal
• Improvements made shipping rice, other goods from southern China
to northern China easier, more reliable

Peace
• Mongols posted soldiers
throughout China to keep peace
• Feared rebellions, particularly in
south where many Chinese
remained loyal to Song dynasty

Foreign Trade
• Foreign trade increased
• Pax Mongolica made land travel
safer for merchants
• Sea trade improved; foreign
merchants welcomed to China’s
ports
Section 2

Cultures of East Asia

Europeans to China
3. As a result of Kublai Khan’s foreign trade policies, many merchants,
travelers and missionaries came to China. Most were from Southwest
Asia and India. However a few came from Europe as well. One of the
most famous of these Europeans was Marco Polo.
Marco Polo in China
• Marco Polo, Italian trader visited
Yuan court
• Kublai Kahn sent Polo on several
missions; traveled in, around China
for 17 years
• 1295, Polo imprisoned in Venice,
recounted tales to fellow prisoner

Accounts of China
• Polo’s tales published as book
• Book fascinated many Europeans
• Polo described grand palace, with
walls covered in silver, gold
• Noted efficiency of postal system,
use of paper money
• Awed by size, splendor of cities

Some scholars question whether Polo reached China or just related
stories he heard in his travels, but his tales increased interest in China.
Section 2

Cultures of East Asia

Summarize
How did Mongol rule in the Yuan dynasty
affect life for the Chinese?
Answer(s): made the Chinese subordinate to the
Mongols; limited their power
Section 2

Cultures of East Asia

End of the Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan dynasty weakened during the last part of Kublai Khan’s
reign. One cause was a number of military defeats. All of his
invasions into Southeast Asia failed, and Mongol armies suffered
huge losses.
Japan
Attacks
Kamikaze
• Kublai Khan had
set sights on
conquering Japan
• Tried to invade
Japan twice
• Disastrous results
each time

• First attempt: 900
ships attacked
Japan, storm
destroyed fleet
• Second attempt:
Khan sent larger
fleet, severe storm
again wiped out
fleet

• After two fleets
destroyed by
storms, Mongols
never attempted
Japanese invasion
• Japanese called
storms that saved
them kamikaze,
“divine wind”
Cultures of East Asia

Section 2

Military and Monetary Losses
Weaknesses
• Huge military losses in Japan
weakened Mongol forces that
controlled, protected China
• Large amounts spent on publicworks projects weakened
economy
• Weaknesses, Chinese
resentment of Mongols, left
empire ripe for rebellion

End of Dynasty
• 1294, Kublai Khan died, power
struggles erupted; Khan’s
successors lacked talent for
leadership
• Floods, rising taxes further
increased discontent
• 1300s, Chinese rebelled,
defeated Mongols
• Mongols fled to Manchuria,
ending foreign rule in China
Cultures of East Asia

Section 2
Cultures of East Asia

Section 2

Identify Cause and Effect
What factors led to the end of the Yuan
dynasty?
Answer(s): military defeats and failed invasions;
lack of good leadership; power struggles; Chinese
discontent

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World History Ch. 11 Section 2 Notes

  • 1. Cultures of East Asia The Mongol Empire Preview • Main Idea / Reading Focus • The Mongols • The Yuan Dynasty • Map: Mongol Empire • End of the Yuan Dynasty • Faces of History: Kublai Khan Section 2
  • 2. Cultures of East Asia Section 2 The Mongol Empire Main Idea 1. The Mongols built a vast empire across much of Asia, founded the Yuan dynasty in China, and opened China and the region to greater foreign contacts and trade. Reading Focus • How did the nomadic Mongols build an empire? • How did China change under the Mongol rulers of the Yuan dynasty? • Why did the Yuan dynasty decline and finally end?
  • 3. Section 2 Cultures of East Asia The Mongols In the 1200s a nomadic people called the Mongols burst forth from Central Asia to create the largest land empire in history. Nomads from the Steppe Fierce Warriors • Vast steppes, grasslands, stretch across north-central Eurasia, home to nomadic peoples • Like Huns, Turks, the Mongols emerged as powerful nomadic people on Central Asian steppes • Steppes too dry for farming • Herded sheep, goats • Nomads relied on herds of domesticated animals • Skilled with horses • Often traded; but also swept down on settlements, took what they wanted • Accustomed to living in harsh environment, competing for scarce resources • Tough people, fierce warriors
  • 4. Cultures of East Asia Section 2 The Universal Ruler Separate Clans • Mongols divided into separate clans, each led by a khan, chief • Khans rose to power through military skills, ability to lead • 1100s, Temujin, powerful khan, began to conquer rivals, unite Mongol clans Genghis Khan • 1206, Temujin completed task, took name Genghis Khan, “Universal Ruler” • Set out to build empire, organized Mongols into powerful military machine • Strict discipline, demanded loyalty, rewarded those who pleased him Campaign of Conquest • Mongol forces began bloody campaign of conquest; highly mobile armies • Employed brutality, psychological warfare; burned towns, killed inhabitants • Sent agents ahead to instill fear; soon people surrendered without a fight
  • 5. Section 2 Cultures of East Asia The Mongol Empire The Mongol Empire • Genghis Kahn led Mongols in conquering much of Asia • Mongols learned art of siege warfare, gunpowder in fights against Chinese, Turks • At Genghis Kahn’s death, 1227, Mongols controlled much of northern China, Central Asia • Sons, grandsons took up challenge of world conquest Khanates • Genghis Kahn’s empire divided into four khanates, heir ruled each region; new Great Khan ruled over whole empire • Grandsons resumed efforts to complete conquests of China, Korea, Persia • 1236, Golden Horde, or Tartars, began conquering Russia, Poland, Hungary
  • 6. Cultures of East Asia Section 2 The Golden Horde 2. Golden Horde stood ready to invade western Europe • Grandson Batu learned of Great Kahn’s death, suddenly turned back • India, Western Europe escaped Mongol wrath • Most of Eurasia devastated • Millions had died, entire cities annihilated
  • 7. Cultures of East Asia Section 2 The Mongol Peace • Mongols built empire with brutality, ruled peacefully • Tolerated local beliefs, ways of life, allowed local rulers to stay in power as long as they paid tribute to Mongols • Some Mongols adopted aspects of more civilized cultures; Mongols in Central Asia, Persia, adopted Islam Stability in Asia • Mongol Empire established peace, stability across Asia • Some historians call period Pax Mongolica, “Mongol Peace” • Guarded trade routes across Asia, allowed trade to increase; people, goods, ideas flowed across Asia • Some believe Black Plague spread from Asia to Europe during period
  • 8. Cultures of East Asia Section 2 Identify Supporting Details How were the Mongols able to build a vast empire across much of Eurasia? Answer(s): army was skilled and well organized, rules promoted loyalty and obedience; tactics involved brutality and psychological warfare; built fear in those they conquered
  • 9. Section 2 Cultures of East Asia The Yuan Dynasty Great Kahn • 1260, Kublai Khan became Great Kahn of Mongol Empire • Determined to complete conquest of China begun in 1235 Kublai Kahn Rules China • As emperor, Kublai Khan tried to gain loyalty of Chinese subjects • Adopted Chinese practices, gave dynasty Chinese name Southern Song • Mongols ruled northern China • Southern Song dynasty ruled in south, fiercely resisted Mongols • 1279, Song defeated; Kublai Khan created Yuan dynasty New Capital • Kublai Khan moved capital to near what is now Beijing • Built Chinese-style walled city, lavish palace, adopted Chinese court ceremonies
  • 10. Cultures of East Asia Section 2
  • 11. Cultures of East Asia Section 2 Kublai Khan Rules China Mongol Identity • Kublai Khan tried to rule as Chinese emperor • But took care to see Mongols not absorbed into Chinese culture • Mongols lived apart from Chinese, had little in common Separation • Individual friendships between Mongols, Chinese discouraged • Mongols forbidden to marry Chinese • Different laws, taxes for Chinese; could not own weapons, serve in military Limited Power • Kublai Khan distrusted Chinese, limited power • Chinese officials served at local level, could not hold high government posts • Mongols invited foreigners to hold government office
  • 12. Section 2 Cultures of East Asia Taxes to Trade • Mongols burdened Chinese with heavy taxes • Large part of taxes supported public-works projects • Chinese laborers built new roads, extended Grand Canal • Improvements made shipping rice, other goods from southern China to northern China easier, more reliable Peace • Mongols posted soldiers throughout China to keep peace • Feared rebellions, particularly in south where many Chinese remained loyal to Song dynasty Foreign Trade • Foreign trade increased • Pax Mongolica made land travel safer for merchants • Sea trade improved; foreign merchants welcomed to China’s ports
  • 13. Section 2 Cultures of East Asia Europeans to China 3. As a result of Kublai Khan’s foreign trade policies, many merchants, travelers and missionaries came to China. Most were from Southwest Asia and India. However a few came from Europe as well. One of the most famous of these Europeans was Marco Polo. Marco Polo in China • Marco Polo, Italian trader visited Yuan court • Kublai Kahn sent Polo on several missions; traveled in, around China for 17 years • 1295, Polo imprisoned in Venice, recounted tales to fellow prisoner Accounts of China • Polo’s tales published as book • Book fascinated many Europeans • Polo described grand palace, with walls covered in silver, gold • Noted efficiency of postal system, use of paper money • Awed by size, splendor of cities Some scholars question whether Polo reached China or just related stories he heard in his travels, but his tales increased interest in China.
  • 14. Section 2 Cultures of East Asia Summarize How did Mongol rule in the Yuan dynasty affect life for the Chinese? Answer(s): made the Chinese subordinate to the Mongols; limited their power
  • 15. Section 2 Cultures of East Asia End of the Yuan Dynasty The Yuan dynasty weakened during the last part of Kublai Khan’s reign. One cause was a number of military defeats. All of his invasions into Southeast Asia failed, and Mongol armies suffered huge losses. Japan Attacks Kamikaze • Kublai Khan had set sights on conquering Japan • Tried to invade Japan twice • Disastrous results each time • First attempt: 900 ships attacked Japan, storm destroyed fleet • Second attempt: Khan sent larger fleet, severe storm again wiped out fleet • After two fleets destroyed by storms, Mongols never attempted Japanese invasion • Japanese called storms that saved them kamikaze, “divine wind”
  • 16. Cultures of East Asia Section 2 Military and Monetary Losses Weaknesses • Huge military losses in Japan weakened Mongol forces that controlled, protected China • Large amounts spent on publicworks projects weakened economy • Weaknesses, Chinese resentment of Mongols, left empire ripe for rebellion End of Dynasty • 1294, Kublai Khan died, power struggles erupted; Khan’s successors lacked talent for leadership • Floods, rising taxes further increased discontent • 1300s, Chinese rebelled, defeated Mongols • Mongols fled to Manchuria, ending foreign rule in China
  • 17. Cultures of East Asia Section 2
  • 18. Cultures of East Asia Section 2 Identify Cause and Effect What factors led to the end of the Yuan dynasty? Answer(s): military defeats and failed invasions; lack of good leadership; power struggles; Chinese discontent